FIRST GOAL
Does it get any better than scoring a winning goal on your full debut against your biggest rival? That's what happened when Giggs started for United in theManchester derby against City at Old Trafford on May 4, 1991. There was some debate about the scorer — Giggs got the slightest of touches on Brian McClair 's right-wing cross, and the ball deflected off City defender Colin Hendry and ricocheted into the net — but the goal was given to Giggs. It clinched a 1-0 win and was the first of Giggs' 168 goals for United.
SOLO STRIKE
A perfect illustration of Giggs at his jinking, pacy, and direct best — all at just the age of 18. Against Tottenham on Sept. 19, 1992, he seized on a defensive slip to poke the ball past one defender with his first touch, nutmeg another with his second, round the goalkeeper with his third, and fire home a shot from an acute angle with his fourth. So quick, so simple.
CLASSIC FA CUP GOAL
It will go down as Giggs' most famous goal, and one of the greatest ever in the FA Cup 's long, distinguished history. United was down to 10 men and drawing 1-1 with Arsenal in a semifinal replay at Villa Park on April 14, 1999, when Giggs pounced on a loose pass from Patrick Vieira . From inside his own half, Giggs set off on a mazy run, sashaying past the retreating Vieira, turning Lee Dixon inside out, leaving Martin Keown on his backside before driving a rising, angled shot into the roof of the net beyond David Seaman . Giggs celebrated by removing his jersey — displaying his hairy chest — and twirling it above his head as he sprinted down the touchline. United won 2-1 and went on to complete an unprecedented Champions League-Premier League-FA Cup treble that season.
THE PASS
By 2009, Giggs had been converted from a winger to a central midfielder. His turn of pace had gone but he was still way ahead of the rest. In the last minutes of a sensational Manchester derby on Sept. 20, Giggs — in one movement — calmly controlled a defensive header and immediately threaded a diagonal ball through toMichael Owen , piercing City's defense. Owen did the rest, but Giggs was the inspiration behind a goal that secured a 4-3 win.
INTERIM MANAGER
Following the firing of David Moyes with four games left of the 2013-14 campaign, Giggs was asked to take charge as interim manager until the end of the season. His first game in charge was a 4-0 win against Norwich at Old Trafford on April 26, 2014. Flanked by former teammates Nicky Butt , Paul Scholes and Phil Neville , United walked out for the match to a brilliant reception. "I felt 10 feet tall," Giggs said.
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